PROFILE OF A GOOD S&T LEADER

A HUMBLE BEGINNING

“The Philippine government’s pursuit for conventional sources of food for its growing population has led to the search for alternative or supplementary food.  Sea vegetable algae hold the key to provide solution to this cyclical problem of food security and poverty alleviation by developing and properly managing the country’s seaweed industry, while conserving and protecting.”

These were the words of DR. PACIENTE A. CORDERO, JR. – who, some years ago, was just a struggling sidewalk cigarette vendor dreaming to cause beneficial changes through S&T in his hometown Burauen, Leyte – an agri/maricultural province.

With great perseverance to achieve his dreams for his hometown and the country as well, DR. PACIENTE A. CORDERO, JR. obtained a Doctor of Science in Marine Biology (Kyoto University, Japan) as scholar of the Japanese Mombusho Scholarship Program and became one of the country’s staunch advocate of the protection and preservation of its marine’s biodiversity.

A RENOWNED FILIPINO SCIENTIST

To date, his name is listed in the National Register of the Philippines’ S&T Personnel, in the Philippines’ Pool of Marine Biology Experts, and in the Philippines’ Men of Science.

Cordero’s fascination with marine biology concomitant with serving his countrymen, more specifically those who are in seaweed economy, is evident on about 83 technical papers published both in the local and international science/research journals.  The same technical papers were much admired by other scientists and researchers in 69 local and international symposia where Cordero made the presentations.

As Taxonomist, he described/published several marine algae/seaweeds new to science, including Porphyra marcosii Cordero, a popular red sea vegetable alga found only in the Ilocos Region.

As such, his publications are included in the USA’s Pacific Naturalists and are cited by the Oceanic Abstract (USA), by the Directory of Bio-Saline Research Project (USA), and by other Biology Researchers, specifically graduate students.

Cordero’s research interest on taxonomy/systematic’s ecology and mariculture’s of marine macro-algae rewarded him prestigious awards – the most recent was given on April 2, 2005 – as the Achievement Awardee, Parangal ng Bayan, Inc., during its 20^th Year Annual Affair, the Outstanding Alumni Award in the 75^th Jubilee Celebration of the Far Eastern University in 2003; the Outstanding Young Scientist in 1981; the President Manuel Roxas Medallion in 1980; and one of the Outstanding Young Men in 1979.  

In 1980, he was also included in the Who’s Who – Outstanding Leaders of the Philippines:  a project of Asia Research, Inc., Ltd.

Likewise, the Philippine government bestowed to Cordero the honor of being one of the Outstanding Overseas Filipino Workers in 1996 and the Bagong Bayani Award in 1991 and the President Fidel V. Ramos Presidential Citation in 1996 for his numerous scientific accomplishments as seaweed research collaborator in the Sultanate of Oman.

AN EFFECTIVE S&T LEADER

Aside from being the Executive Director, for five years (2001 – 2006) of the oldest collegial and scientific advisory of the Philippine government – the NRCP, Cordero’s scientific activities on seaweed protection and management simultaneously continue – with equal vigor and enthusiasm, as being the head of the algae Sector, Philippine Plant Specialist Group of the IUCN Species Survival Commission, as the Vice-President of the Biosystematics of the Philippines, and writing (co-author) the manuscript for a JICA-CDROM Project entitled Sea Vegetables Resources of the world.

Dr. Cordero likewise held the Presidency of the Outstanding Young Scientists, Inc. of the National Academy of Science and Technology and the Executive Trustee of the NRCP Research Foundation, Inc.  (2002 – to date).

On June 15, 2006, Dr. Cordero became a Founding member of the Philippines National Committee on long term Ecological Research and DIVERSITAS – an international, non-governmental program with dual mission to promote an integrative biodiversity science and to provide the scientific basis for the conservation and sustainable use of biodiversity. He was chosen DIVERSITAS Focal Person for Visayas.

OTHERS’ WELFARE FIRST

Despite these positions, honors and achievements, Junn, as he is known in the science community, remains humble, unselfish, God-fearing, and a true-bloodied Leyteño.

He utilizes his scientific knowledge and research expertise to contribute in the development of Region 8’s mariculture economy, which in a way could alleviate the seemingly deprived living conditions of the populace.

For one, he shared his proficiency in marine research to three of eleven students, which paved the way for the completion of their basic researches on marine algae – each for E. Samar, N. Samar and Biliran Provinces.

It is also worth to note that the completion of assessment study on the Visayas marine vegetation as a doctoral dissertation was also completed through Jun’s unwavering desire to develop and improve basic research skills and S&T competencies of his compatriots.

In collaboration with the regional office of the Department of Trade and Industry with some other government organizations and private agencies, Jun led the 57 Eastern Visayas scientists in pushing for the creation of the Eastern Samar Provincial Seaweed Council which is primarily tasked to give direction for the development and improvement of Region 8’s mariculture economy.

NOT FOR HIMSELF

DR. CORDERO, in his 5-year stint (2001 – 2006) as the Executive Director has accomplished so much for the National Research Council of Philippines, the country’s center of excellence of basic research and the country’s oldest scientific advisory body with more than 3,000 Filipino bone fide researchers, scientists, and technologist in different fields of knowledge (government/education/international policies, mathematics, medicine, pharmacy, biology, agriculture/forestry, engineering/industrial research, social sciences, chemistry, physics, humanities, and earth/space sciences).

Junn Cordero, from Region 8, undeniably is instrumental in bringing back the prestige and credibility of NRCP as a government research arm, which from quite a while has lost luster because of intense politics in some areas of membership governance.

He has managed to make the presence of NRCP felt in the regions with the establishments of NRCP Visayas and Mindanao Clusters, transformed Outreach Program as Flagship Activity and as an effective tool for science promotion and S & T information dissemination including the strengthening of NRCP linkages here and abroad, leading to the increase of NRCP memberships (it was in his time that NRCP membership has grown manifold).

The most noteworthy was the camaraderie he has established from among his peers and colleagues in the NRCP Management Staff.

When asked to describe Cordero, current head of NRCP Scientific Documentation, Ms. Alice Mercado says, “Dr. Cordero, the renowned Filipino Marine Biologist from Region 8, is an epitome of Confucius teaching  (bk 13), which states:  A GOOD LEADER is one WHO IS OBEYED EVEN IF HE DOESN’T GIVE ORDERS, BECAUSE HIS PEOPLE KNEW THAT BY WORKING HARD AND DOING GOOD, THEY ARE OBEYING HIM.

 Jowi A. Carteciano

DOST S&T MEDIA SERVICE